2 Corinthians 5:7 “For we live (or walk) by faith, not by sight.”
If you’ve never experienced it, I recommend seeing a pack of impala in full flight. They can leap 10ft (3m) high and 30ft (9m) long with just one seemingly effortless jump. Power and beauty in motion. And yet, when caught and kept at zoos in enclosures, they will never jump out over the mere 3ft fence because they only jump if they can see where they will land. With no roof keeping them shut in, freedom is one simple leap away.
Are we like those impalas? If we live by sight – like them – it’s easy to keep us caged. There are new vistas, new opportunities, new adventures to be had if we’re prepared to launch out into God’s purposes and live by faith. Note well we’re not talking about a blind leap in the dark. No, our faith is rooted in the Truth, so we can have confidence that as we prayerfully seek and trust God, he will guide our leaps, our steps and our stops.
Maybe that begins with baby steps. Maybe we pray with Georges Whitefield: “Help me begin to begin!”
Hudson Taylor, the great missionary statesman who pioneered work in the Chinese hinterland in the 19th century, said that “unless there is an element of risk in our exploits for God, there’s no need for faith.” Ouch! Aren’t I taking any risks in following Christ? Then I might have a faith, but I’m not living by faith. I’m living by sight.
How about you?
Lord, I want to be an authentic follower of Jesus. I’m risk-averse yet recognize if I always play it safe, then I’ll condemn myself to a stunted faith experience. Help me begin to begin. Help me not to take stupid risks, but guide me to reach out beyond my comfort zones, so that those baby steps grow into majestic impala-style leaps for your glory. Amen!
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